In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was injured in a horseback riding accident, leaving him quadriplegic - paralyzed from the shoulders down. He became a tireless advocate and a passionate supporter of research.  Christopher’s dream was for those living with spinal cord injuries to have a better quality of life, and one day to walk again.  More than 25 years later, thanks to advances in surgical approaches, neuroprotective drugs, and gene therapy using stem cells, that dream is becoming closer to reality. Featuring: Dr. Laureen Hachem is a Senior Neurosurgery Resident and PhD Candidate ..read more

In the time that it takes to say this sentence – three seconds – someone in the world will develop dementia, a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, mood, behaviour and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. With people living longer, even into their 90s and beyond, dementia is becoming the biggest and most consequential global health threat of our time. But, according to a landmark study in The Lancet medical journal, there are 12 modifiable risk factors that can reduce your chances of getting dementia at any age – by up to 40%. In t ..read more

In a sweeping 2023 report, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness an epidemic and a public health emergency. According to the report, loneliness and isolation can lead to a significant increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as a nearly 30% increased risk of heart disease, stroke and among older adults, a 50% risk of dementia. Around the world, there are efforts to help people cope with loneliness. In the Netherlands, one grocery store chain has introduced ‘chat check outs’ where customers can take their time and socialize – part of a g ..read more

We are once again bringing you inside UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres, to meet the scientists & physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us, and the care teams who support them.  This season, we’re exploring some big new research in brain health, including: What young women need to know about preventing a stroke, Can loneliness re-wire your brain? And how YOU can reduce YOUR chances of Alzheimer’s.  We’ll also take you to the forefront of AI powered brain science, dive into the link between g ..read more

Breathing exercises are simple techniques can help improve your overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness. Listen to this original 5-minute 'Breathing Space' practice created by Dr. Kathryn Curtis for listeners of Your Complex Brain. Dr. Kathryn Curtis is a clinical psychologist at the Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at UHN, where she provides psychological services to individuals living with chronic pain. Dr. Curtis' research evaluates mind-body interventions, such as yoga and mindfulness, for populations experiencing chronic pain and mobil ..read more

Harry Forestell is a journalist with CBC Television. In 2013, he noticed a tremor in his right hand and was unsure what it was. It was later determined to be Parkinson's disease. He was referred to Dr. Tony Lang and the team at Toronto Western Hospital, a movement disorder clinic. They confirmed the diagnosis and began treatment. The symptoms of the disease began to worsen, and he was frustrated by the amount of focus and attention it took to walk normally.  His doctor suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment option. He was hesitant at first, but as the symptoms wo ..read more

Fran Ryder is the president of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and has been involved in women's hockey for many years. She has played and volunteered in various capacities in the sport. She has also been involved in research and initiatives related to spinal injuries and concussions in hockey, working closely with Dr. Charles Tator, a world-renowned neurosurgeon and researcher, on these initiatives.  Dr. Tator has been a mentor and inspiration to her. She has also been a champion of the importance of brain donations for research and has donated her brain to Dr. Tator's research. S ..read more

Natalie Ladly is the president and fundraising chair for CDKL5 Canada. She lives in Heathcoate, a town outside of Collingwood, Ontario, with her husband Eric and their three children: Brynn, Reece, and Cullen. Brynn has CDD, a rare disease that prevents the brain from developing normally. She was diagnosed with the disease at nine months old, and since then, Natalie has been dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research.  Natalie is also a member of the CDKL5 Canada board, which gives her a sense of purpose and the ability to make a difference. Natalie is grateful for the support ..read more

Jack Conway, a 19-year-old from Toronto, Canada, is a huge fan of video games and roller coasters. His family includes his mom, Kim, his dad, Steve, and his older brother, Brian. Jack plays a variety of video games, from Call of Duty to Minecraft, and he loves roller coasters.  He also has a vision impairment due to a brain tumor he had when he was a baby. He was one of the first children in the world to receive a certain treatment for the tumor, and he spent a lot of time at SickKids hospital. School can be challenging for him because of his vision, but he tries not to let it get the be ..read more

Lindsay's mother Barbara had Alzheimer's disease. Lindsay, her brothers, and her father noticed changes in her mid-sixties. They started noticing her repeating herself and she stopped coming to the pool with them when they went to visit her and their dad in Florida. She also forgot where she parked her car and had to ask for help. Her memory was not what it used to be and she started to withdraw from social events. Lindsay and her brothers decided they needed to talk to her doctor about these memory issues. They decided as a family that it was time to look into homes for her. They did not wan ..read more